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Lower Greenville Rises From The Ashes With New Image

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The line formed early as one of Dallas’ popular restaurants opened for business for the first time in a year and a half. The opening of Terilli’s was the final piece for a row of restaurants that rose from the ashes of a devastating fire in March of 2010.

The strip along Lower Greenville now has a chance to strip away some bad blood with the surrounding neighborhood. “It’s a step in the right direction. I gotta say, a step in the right direction,” repeated J.D. Young as he and his wife walked into Terilli’s.

Before the fire, Lower Greenville was often referred to as a bar district. But after the fire, the bars have been replaced by restaurants.

Neighbors such as Cathy Sisk say it’s a welcomed change. “I like to see more restaurants like on Henderson rather than the bar crowd,” said Sisk. “Somewhat family oriented, but then also for mature adults too,” she added.

Neighbor Jonathan Regan says he’s pleased with the outcome. “They took what they had there and kind of brought it upscale just a little bit,” said Regan.

Chris Mcguinness was well aware of the sometimes tumultuous history between neighbors and bar owners. Despite the past, Mcguinness says opening a new restaurant was a no-brainer.

“I still can’t find anybody to tell me about a better corner in Dallas,” said the owner of Dodie’s. “You’ve got the energy of Lower Greenville and the great demographics of the M Streets,” he added.

It’s not all smiles and cocktails along Lower Greenville. Parking is still a problem, and neighbors say it’s a problem that needs to be addressed if the business owners want to keep a good relationship with the residents.

How about a huge parking tower next door maybe 10 -15 stories high where 1 of the other burned out bldgs were then the neoghbors won’t have to deal with parking in front of their houses on the street and a trolley to take people up and down LG.